Madison — Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday embraced a move to ban abortion after 20 weeks after repeatedly declining to spell out where he stood on the issue in last year's re-election campaign.

It is the latest example of Walker downplaying a major issue until after being re-elected and climbing to the top tier of likely 2016 presidential candidates. Walker did not campaign on plans to spin off the University of Wisconsin System as a public authority and now says he will sign so-called right-to-work legislation even though he insisted for years he would keep the measure from reaching his desk.

Wisconsin Right to Life has touted as its top priority legislation that has yet to be introduced that would prevent women from seeking abortions in most cases after 20 weeks. (76)

If Park Bank is liable for not spotting Sujata "Sue" Sachdeva's $34 million embezzlement from Koss Corp. and has to reimburse the company, Koss Chief Executive Michael Koss should also be ordered to personally pay the public company he runs, the bank argues in a new lawsuit.

Grant Thornton, Koss Corp.'s former auditor, should also have to pay a portion of any award that may be ordered, Park Bank argued in the latest twist in a long-running court fight stemming from Sachdeva's massive embezzlement.

"Park Bank denies any and all liability to Koss in this case," the bank said in its action. "Nevertheless, should Park Bank be found liable to Koss (Corp.) and required to pay damages to Koss, in this case, those damages will have been the result of a common liability of Park Bank, Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, thereby entitling Park Bank to (a) contribution from Michael Koss and Grant Thornton."(9)

Staffers for Abele, Dimitrijevic spar over downsizing memo

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abelesent out a letter to some 50 county board leaders around the state trying to dispell rumors and misinformation about the legislation to cut the pay of Milwaukee County supervisors.

One person who didn't receive a copy of Abele's memo: Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic.

"Abele did not send it to her," said Velia Alvarez, spokeswoman for the County Board.

Abele staffer Brendan Conway said it was an oversight that the head of the Milwaukee County Board didn't get the email.

"If (Dimitrijevic's) feelings were hurt," he said, "that was never the intention."

Conway said there was no need to send the document to the board chairwoman because she's already familiar with the legislation being proposed by state Rep. Joe Sanfelippo, a former supervisor.

The draft bill would ask voters to decide whether to cut supervisors' pay 70% to $15,000 a year and eliminating their health and pension benefits. It also would directly cut the board's $6.5 million annual budget to $1.1 million next year.

Conway said his boss' letter was also intended to correct what he described as misinformation being circulated by Milwaukee County Board members.

Including Dimitrijevic?

"Oh, yes, absolutely," Conway said.

OK, them's fighting words at the Courthouse.

Alavarez, the spokeswoman for Dimitrijevic, said Abele is the true master of misinformation.

For instance, he pushes the idea that Milwaukee County voters supported advisory referendums to trim the number and pay of county supervisors. In truth, she said, most county residents couldn't vote on those questions.

Also, Alvarez took umbrage at a line in Abele's memo in which he says the goal is to make sure the Milwaukee County Board "looks and acts like every other county board in the state."

"What does that mean?" Alvarez asked. "In Milwaukee County, there's a reason why the board looks different. It's because the board looks like the people who elected them. This board is in the most diverse area of the state."

About Daniel Bice

Daniel Bice is a Watchdog columnist covering Wisconsin government and politics. His “No Quarter” column has won a National Headliner Award for best local interest column.